The Jawans of Border Outpost Ranaghat, 68th Battalion under BSF South Bengal Frontier foiled a major infiltration attempt of illegal Bangladeshis on the India-Bangladesh border of District North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. The infiltrators’ plan of infiltration by fatally attacking the jawan was foiled by the jawan by firing back in self-defense and all the infiltrators were driven back to Bangladesh. In this retaliatory action, the jawans have succeeded in apprehending the Indian broker who helped these infiltrators. Sharp weapons have also been recovered from the spot.
According to the information, on July 31, the intelligence department of BSF informed the jawan of Border Outpost Ranaghat, 68th Battalion about illegal infiltration by Indian touts from Bangladesh side in the unfenced river area of ​​​​Border Outpost Ranaghat. Taking immediate action, the company commander alerted all the jawans on duty. At around 2155 hrs, the jawans saw 20-25 illegal Bangladeshi intruders moving from Bangladesh side towards the Indian border with sharp weapons from the unfenced riverine area. The jawans immediately alerted his fellow jawan and ran towards the intruders. Taking advantage of the darkness and dense forest on the banks of the Kodalya river, the intruders started moving towards the river. The jawans challenged them and asked them to retreat, but the intruders ignored the challenge and forcefully entered the Indian border and started surrounding the soldier while threatening him. Seeing the danger to his life, the jawans fired one round towards the intruders in self-defense. The intruders were shocked by the firing, due to which they ran back towards Bangladesh. After this, a thorough search of the area was done. During the search, they found a person hiding among the bushes on the Indian side of the Kodaliya river. The person tried to run away but the jawans caught him.
The person caught has been identified as Suman Das (name changed) who is a resident of North 24 Parganas district. During further interrogation, the person confessed that he had come to take these infiltrators further into India. After this, the suspect was taken to BOP Ranaghat for further action.
This is not an isolated incident of attack. Such deadly attacks have also taken place on the jawans by cattle smugglers and illegal infiltrators at the Sector headquarters Berhampur and Malda in Murshidabad and Malda districts of West Bengal and at the border outposts of Malda, Madhubana, Bausimari and Nawada, JJ Pur, where the jawans fired stun grenades, PAGs and other weapons on the cattle smugglers and illegal infiltrators in self-defense and foiled the incidents of smuggling and illegal infiltration and seized illegal drugs and 05 animals.
In all the incidents, meetings were also held with Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB), where strong protest was lodged against the unprovoked deadly attack by Bangladeshi smugglers. A preliminary report has also been lodged with the concerned police station regarding the attack and defensive firing and the apprehended Indian tout has been handed over to Bagdah Police Station.
BSF South Bengal Frontier spokesperson said that such incidents are not uncommon in our line of duty. BSF jawans are performing their duties with exceptional courage and vigilance. Despite frequent flag meetings with BGB to alert them about frequent attacks and illegal infiltration by Bangladeshi criminals, no concrete action ha s been taken by them. This inaction has emboldened the smugglers and criminals. Nevertheless, our jawans are resolute in protecting our borders and ensuring the security of our nation under all circumstances.
